Fluid flow system for wells

ABSTRACT

A fluid flow system for wells, including a conduit openable along its length and having a digging apparatus connected to one end of the conduit. Means are provided for progressively feeding the conduit into a well and for progressively closing the length of the conduit as it is moved into the well. The conduit is closed about a motive fluid supply duct which extends from the open portion of the conduit into the closed portion of the conduit at the ground level of the well, to supply motive fluid to the digging apparatus.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John Dennis Bryant 3,132,416 5/1964Hait 61/72.! X Route 3, l-lawkinsvllle Road, Macon, Ga. 3,144,104 8/1964Weir 182/41 X 31206 3,285,485 11/1966 Slator.... 226/173 X [21] Appl.No. 746,471 3,306,357 2/1967 Cullen... 175/103 X [22] Filed July 22,193,330,459 7/ 1967 Cullen 226/173 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 3,361,377 1/1968 Trexler 52/108 X 3,370,656 2/1968 Grolet 175/103 X 54 FLUID FLOWSYSTEM FOR WELLS 5' Byers= 13 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs. ameyqmes 9 [52]11.8. C1 175/57,

61/72.2 ABSTRACT: A fluid flow system for wells, including a conduit[51] Int. Cl E21b 7/00 openable along its length and having a diggingapparatus con- [50] Field of Search... 175/57, nected to one end of theconduit. Means are provided for 103; 52/ 108; 61/72.1, 72.2; 182/41progressively feeding the conduit into a well and for progressivelyclosing the length of the conduit as it is moved into the ReferencesCited well. The conduit is closed about a motive fluid supply ductUNITED STATES PATENTS which extends from the open portion of the conduitinto the 2,512,783 6/1950 Tucker 175/8 x eleeed Portion of the eenduitat the ground level of the to 2,548,616 4/1951 Priestman.... 175/103supply motive fluid to the digging pp 3,085.729 4/1963 Lehnert 226/173PATENIEUJAII 4572 3,531,933

SHEET 1 [)F 3 INVENTOR JOHN D BRYANT ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAI 4m:

SHEEI 2 [IF 3 INVENTOR JOHN D. BRYANT ATTORNEYS PAIENTED-ml mi 3.631.933

' SHEET 3 [1F 3 I1 TI Q qqag ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Whendigging a well, a drill or digging head is connected to a length ofconduit and lowered into the ground to perform the digging function. Asthe digging head removes the material from the bottom portion of thewell, additional conduit must be added to the welldigging apparatus inorder to continue to lower the digging head into the ground. When addingadditional conduits to the welldigging apparatus, the digging functionmust be terminated and the various connections to the conduits of thewelldigging apparatus disconnected from the conduits of the welldiggingapparatus, and reconnected to the new conduits. Of course, thisconnection and reconnection must be repeated as the well deepens, whichnecessitates frequent termination of the digging operation, substantialloss of time, and the attention of a number of skilled laborers at thedigging site.

When underwater wells are being dug, the welldigging operation is morecomplicated since the heavy conduits required to dig the well are morecumbersome and dangerous to handle when the digging operation iscontrolled from the surface of the water.

When digging a well from the ground surface or from the surface of abody of water, the inconvenience of having to add additional conduit tothe welldigging apparatus requires the control apparatus to be useableat various different heights with respect to the ground or water level,so that the control apparatus virtually follows the well conduit systemtoward the surface of the ground or water, whereupon it is removed andjoined to the next added conduit. Thus, the control structure fordigging wells must be versatile which adds to its expense. Furthermore,the supervisor of the welldigging operation BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWING FIG. I is a schematic elevational view, with parts broken away,of the fluid flow system.

FIG. 2 is a detail showing of the manner in which the conduit is formedwith portions of the structure removed and must coordinate thewelldigging operation with the supply of additional conduits and thetiming of adding additional conduits to the digging apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present inventioncomprises a fluid flow system for wells, or the like, which allows thedigging head of the well to continuously operate while additional lengthof conduit is added to the conduit system of the well. The conduit isopenable along its length, and is normally stored in opened, flatconfiguration. As the conduit is fed toward its point of use, it isclosed along its length about a fluid supply conduit in such a mannerthat the fluid supply conduit supplies fluid only to the closed portionof the openable conduit. Thus, the fluid flow system can beprogressively and continuously extended or shortened withoutinterrupting the supply of motive fluid from the fluid supply conduit,as may be desired.

Thus it is an object of this invention to provide a fluid flow systemuseable with welldigging apparatus that allows the digging function ofthe welldigging apparatus to be carried on continuously and withoutinterruption as the digging head moves to a deeper depth within theground.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid flow system whichallows fluid to be delivered to a remote point that moves progressivelyaway from the source of fluid, without interrupting the supply of fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor digging wells and which allows the digging function of the digginghead to continue without interruption, and which continuously andprogressively adds additional conduit to the conduit of the welldiggingapparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor conveniently, expediently, and inexpensively digging a well from theground surface, or from the surface of a body of water above the ground.

Other objects, features an advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing.

shown in cross section, for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view of the conduit and conveyor, taken alonglines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a crosssectional view of the openable conduit, the fluidsupply conduit, and the forming sleeve, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a crosssectional view of the openable conduit and the fluidsupply conduit, taken along lines 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a crosssectional view of the of the openable conduit, fluidsupply conduit, and conduitclosing element, taken along lines 66 of FIG.2.

FIG. 7 is a side crosssectional view of the motive fluid supply conduitand the openable conduit, showing the manner in which the motive fluidsupply conduit is sealed to the openable conduit.

FIG. 8 is a detail showing of the seam of the openable conduit.

FIG. 9 is a detail showing of the seamclosing element, showing themanner in which the closing element guides the seam sections of theopenable conduit into closed relationship with each other.

FIG. 10 is a side crosssectional view of the seamclosing element, takenalong lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the conduit support platformand one of its conduit gripping mechanisms.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the conduit supply platform andconduitgripping mechanisms.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the gripping chain of the conduitgripping mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the conduitgripping mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a perspective of one link of the gripping chain of theconduitgripping mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in more detail tothe drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout theseveral views, FIG. 1 shows welldigging apparatus 20 which includesfluid flow system 21 conduit support apparatus 22, conduitconveyingapparatus 24, conduit supply 25, and power source 26.

Conduit supply 25 includes a mobile platform 28 having a pair of conduitsupply reels 29 and 30 supported in cantilever fashion by supports 31.Conduit 32 is wound about supply reels 29 and 30 in its flatconfiguration. The free end of conduit 32 is extended up overconduitconveying apparatus 24, while the innermost end of conduit 32 isconnected to control panel 34 by means of connecting conduit 35. Powersource 26 is connected to control panel 34 by means of connectingconduit 36. Power source 26 includes an internal combustion engine 38and power supply means 39, which may include a pump and/or an electricgenerator, or any other motive power means.

As is shown in FIG. 3 conduit 32 includes body portion 40 having seamstrips 41 extending along opposite edges, and support cables 44. Supportcables 44 are bonded to and extend the entire length of body portion 40,and are disposed exteriorly along conduit 32 when closed. Power supplyconduit 45 also extends along the length of body portion 40, and ispositioned inside conduit 32 when closed. When conduit 32 is opened andextended to a flat configuration, it can be stored about conduit supplyreels 29 and 30 in a minimum of space since the dead" space or spacedefined within a tubular conduit is not also stored.

As is shown in FIG. 8 seam strips 41 and 42 of conduit 32 areconstructed so that they can be joined together, to close conduit 32along its length. Seam strip 41 includes enlarged heel 46, base 48,locking strip 49, and toe 50. Insert 51 also includes base 52, lockingstrip 53 and toe 54 which conform with base 48, locking strip 49, andtoe 50, and these elements together form socket 55 of seam strip 41.Seam strip 42 is faced in the opposite direction from seam strip 41 andincludes oppositely facing heel 56, base 58, locking strip 59, toe 60,and insert 61, all of which function to form socket 65. Sockets 55 and65 are sized and shaped to be placed in locked engagement with eachother, as is shown in FIG. 8, with the toe and locking strip of eachseam strip projecting into the socket of the opposite seam strip. Inthis manner seam 66 is formed, which maintains conduit 32 in a closed orannular configuration. In order that seam 66 be fluidtight, resilientstrip 68 extends along the inside surface of heel 56 of seam strip 42.Resilient strip 68 is compressed when seam strips 41 and 42 are placedin locking engagement, and helps to form a fluid seal along the entirelength of scam 66.

Support cables 44 are spaced across the width of body portion 40 ofconduit 32, with one support cable 44 being positioned next adjacentseam strips 41 and 42. As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, conduitconveyingapparatus 24 includes a series of rollers 69 supported by U- shapedhousing 70. Support cables 44 of conduit 32 contact rollers 69 and guideconduit 32 toward conveyor 71. Conveyor 71 is positively driven to aidthe movement of conduit 32 along conveying apparatus 24.

As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, motive fluid conduit 72 is positionedadjacent and slightly below conduitconveying apparatus 24, and includessupply leg 74, sealing leg 75, and tool leg 76. Conduit fonning sleeveor collar 78 extends around tool leg 76 motive fluid conduit 72 and, asit shown in FIG. 4,

is connected to tool conduit 76 by support flange 79 which extends alongthe length of tool leg 76, and which is positioned on the side of toolleg 76 away from conduitconveying apparatus 24. Forming sleeve 78 isgenerally of annular configuration, and is of larger diameter at itsupper edge than at its lower edge, so that it forms with tool leg 76 ofmotive fluid conduit 72 a C- shaped space 80 of convergingcrosssectional area. Conduit 32 is fed from conveying apparatus 24 intoforming sleeve 78 and about motive fluid conduit 72, so that conduit 24is urged toward its closed condition as it passes through the convergingC- shaped space of forming sleeve 78. As conduit 24 passes throughforming sleeve 78, its support cables 44 bear against the inside surfaceof forming sleeve 78, so that the major portion of the friction contactbetween conduit 32 and forming sleeve 78 is felt by support cables 44.

After conduit 24 passes through forming sleeve 78, its seam strips 41and 42 pass on opposite sides of supply leg 74 of motive fluid conduit72 (FIG. and then pass through closing collar 81. As is shown in FIGS.2, 6, 9 and 10, closing collar 81 is generally concentric with sealingleg 75 of motive fluid conduit 72. Closing element 82 is positionedbelow supply leg 74 of motive fluid conduit 72, within closing collar81. As is shown in FIGS. 9 and closing element 82 is generally S-shaped, including outer leg 84, intermediate leg 85, and inner leg 86.Intermediate leg 85 is shorter than either of outer leg 84 or inner leg86, and legs 84, 85, and 86 define grooves 88 and 89 which receive seamstrips 41 and 42 of seam 66 of conduit 32. Outer leg 84 converges towardinner leg 86 (FIG. 10), and intermediate leg 85 is tapered along itslength and foreshortened, so that seam strips 41 and 42 are guided intolocking connection with each other. Closing collar 81 functions to keepconduit 32 properly oriented about sealing legs 75 of motive fluidconduit 72, and support cables 44 continues to absorb primary frictionalcontact between conduit 32 and closing collar 81. Protrusions 90 and 91extend on opposite sides of intermediate leg 85, and are positioned toproject into the socket of each seam strip 41 and 42, to properlyposition seam strips 41 and 42 in closing element 82.

As is shown. in FIG. 7, sealing leg 75 of motive conduits 72 terminatesin annular seal 92. Annular seal 92 extends about the exterior edge ofsealing legs 75, and flares into engagement with the inside surface ofconduit 32. In this manner, conduit 32 is maintained in sealedrelationship with motive fluid conduit 72, and when fluid pressure isbuilt up within motive fluid conduit 72 and the closed portion ofconduit 32, annular seal 92 will be urged into tighter more positiveengagement with the inside surface of conduit 32. Of course, the sealcreated by annular seal 92 with conduit 32 is a sliding seal, whichpermits conduit 32 to move along the length of sealing leg 75.

As is shown in FIG. 1, conduit support apparatus 22 is positioned belowmotive fluid conduit 72 and includes support platform 95 andconduitgripping mechanisms 96. As is shown in FIGS. 11-15, supportplatform 95 is generally of annular configuration and defines centralopening 96 through which conduit 32 passes. Support platform 95 isconstructed in two pieces, and abutting flanges 98 are bolted together,so that the the halves of support platform 95 can be disconnected fromeach other and removed from about conduit 32.

Support shoes 99 are spaced about support platform 95 at intervalscorresponding to the spacing of support cables 44 about conduit 32.Support shoes 99 each define a slot 100. Conduitgripping mechanisms 101each include base 102 which is slidable into the slots of support shoes99. Support walls 104 extend upwardly from base 102, and gripping chain105 is supported between support walls 104. Sprockets 106 and 108 aresupported in spaced relationship between walls 104 by means of axle 109and drive shaft 110, respectively. Gripping chain 105 is extended aroundsprockets 106 and 108. As is shown in FIG. 15, each link 111 of grippingchain 105 supports a gripping unit 1 12 which is constructed to grasp asupport cable 44. Each gripping unit 112 includes a support slide 114connected to the vertical plates of chain link 111, and each supportslide 114 defines slot 115 which extends laterally of each chain link111. A pair of grippers 116 and 118 identical to each other and areplaced in facing relationship about a support cable 44. Each gripper 116includes an enlarged base 119 received in slot 115 of support slide 114,body portion 120 which projects through the opening of slot 115 awayfrom base 119, gripper foot 121, and cam follower 122. Gripper foot 121defines arcuate groove 124 in its face, to extend around the curvatureof a support cable 44 of conduit 32.

As is shown in FIG. 14, each sidewall 104 of conduitgripping mechanism101 includes an inwardly facing cam surface 125 which is spaced toengage the cam follower 122 of each gripper 116 as each link 111 ofgripping chain 105 moves along its inside flight. Thus, each gripperfoot 121 will be moved into engagement with a support cable 44.

As is shown in FIG. 12 the drive shaft 110 of each conduitgrippingmechanism 101 is driven by power unit 126. Power unit 126 is directlyconnected to the drive shafts 110 of adjacent conduitgripping mechanisms101a and 101b, and connecting links 128 and 129 are connected to thedrive shafts 110 of conduit mechanisms 101a and 101b and function totransmit the rotary motion to conduitgripping mechanisms 101c and 101d.Of course, conventional universal joints are connected to the driveshafts 110.

As is shown in FIG. 1, a drilling head or unit 130 is connected to thelower end of conduit 32,. Pump 131 is powered from motor 132 andfunctions to draw fluid from reservoir 134 and charge motive conduit 72with fluid. The fluid flows from supply leg 74 and downwardly throughsealing leg 75, and into conduit 32. The fluid flowing through conduit32 eventually reaches drilling head 130. Drilling head 130 can be thetype which is operated by the fluid pressure in conduit 32, or operatedby fluid pressure or electricity supplied from control panel 34. Thepower transmitted to drilling head 130 from control panel 34 istransmitted through connecting conduit 35 to the end of conduit 32, andthrough power supply conduit 45 (FIG. 3) along the length of conduit 32.The motor for conveyor (FIG. 2), and motors 126 and 132 for conduitsupport apparatus 22 and pump 131 are powered from control panel 34 byother conduits.

OPERATION When well-digging apparatus is to be placed in operation,digging head 130 is placed over the area of the ground where the well isto be dug, and conduit 32 extended from conduit supply over conveyingapparatus 24, through conduitfonning sleeve 78, through closing collar81, and cables 44 of conduit 32 are run through and gripped byconduitgripping mechanism 101 of conduit support apparatus 22. Conduit32 is then connected to drilling head 130, and the assembly is completeand ready for operation.

The operator of the drilling apparatus stands at control panel 34 tooperate the various components. The motors for driving pump 131,conveyor 71, and conduitgripping mechanism 101 are controlled at controlpanel 34 so that the drilling head 130 is controlled and coordinatedwith the various other elements of the apparatus.

As drilling head 130 increases the depth of the well being dug,additional length of conduit 32 is progressively and continuously fedfrom conduit supply 25, over conduitconveying 20 apparatus 24, andthrough conduitforming sleeve 78. Conduit 32 is stored in a flatconfiguration on conduit supply 25 and passes up over conveyingapparatus 24 in a substantially flat configuration (FIG. 3), and whenconduit 32 approaches conduitforming sleeve 78, begins to assume aconcave or crescent configuration (FIG. 4). Seam strips 41 and 42 ofseam 66 pass on opposite sides of supply leg 74 of motive fluid conduit72 (FIG. 5), and as conduit 32 continues in a downward direction, itpasses through closing collar 81, where closing element 82 urges seamsstrips 41 and 42 together and into closed relationship with each other(F168. 8, 9 & 10). As conduit 32 continues to move into a downwarddirection, its inside surface engages annular seal 92 (FIG. 7), wheresealing leg 75 of motive conduit 72 is sealed to the inside surface ofconduit 32. Thus, the fluid flowing from pump 131 into motive fluidconduit 72 will pass in a downward direction through conduit 32 towarddrilling head 130.

Conduit support apparatus 22 is located adjacent the lower portion ofsealing leg 75 of motive fluid conduit 72, so that support cables 44 ofconduit 32 are grasped and supported by conduitgripping mechanism 101 asconduit 32 passes about annular seal 92. The placement of conduitsupport apparatus 26 in this position assures positive positioning ofconduit 32 in the area of annular seal 92, so that a positive seal isalways maintained during the feeding of conduit 32 into the well. Also,when conduit 32 is being withdrawn from the well, conduitgrippingmechanism 101 will function to positively left conduit 32 back overannular seal 92. Under normal conditions, conduit 32 will be chargedwith fluid pressure from pump 131 when conduit 32 is being moved in adownward direction during the drilling operation; however, when conduit32 is being lifted out of the well, there will usually be no need topositively charge conduit 32 with motive fluid for drilling head 130.Thus, seal 92 will be urged by fluid pressure into positive sealingrelationship with conduit 32 when conduit 32 is being moved in adownward direction about the periphery of the seal, and the pressurewill generally be relieved from motive fluid conduit 72 and seal 92 whenconduit 32 is being lifted back about seal 92. Thus, closing collar 81and closing element 82 function to progressively close or open conduit32, while seal 92 functions to maintain a sliding sea with the insidesurface of conduit 32. in the meantime, uninterrupted communication ismaintained between pump 131 and drilling head 130, and between drillinghead 130 and control panel 34.

Tool leg 76 of motive fluid conduits 72 is provided in order that toolsvarying in nature can be inserted downwardly through sealing leg 75 ofmotive fluid conduit 72 and through the closed portion of conduit 32,toward the bottom of the well. In this manner a core sample can beretrieved from the well, or various other testing or adjusting functionscan be carried on. Of course, in most instances tool leg 76 will bemerely plugged so that the fluidtight integrity of motive fluid conduit72 will be maintained; however, it will be possible to utilize a toolwith conduit 32 without interrupting the flow of liquid from pump 131,if the tool so used does not require breaking the seal of tool leg 76.In this manner, the continuous operation of drilling head 130 will notbe interrupted.

Conduitgripping mechanisms 101 are structured so that conduit 32 can bemoved under positive control in a downward or an upward direction. Sinceeach conduitgripping mechanism 101 is individually supported by conduitsupport platform by means of support shoes 99, if one of conduitgrippingmechanisms 101 malfunctions, it can be removed from conduit supportplatform 95, and the remaining ones of conduit-gripping mechanisms 101can continue in their operation. Furthermore, while conduitgrippingmechanisms 101 have been positioned about the upper surface of conduitsupport platform 95, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat similar support shoes 99 can be connected to the bottom surface ofconduit support platform 95, and duplicate conduitgripping mechanisms10] positioned within these support shoes, to double the number ofgripping mechanisms, and the amount of support provided conduit 32.

When conduit 32 has been depleted from conduit supply 25, mobileplatform 28 can be replaced with another mobile platform with a fullsupply of conduit 32, and the free end of the new supply of conduit canbe connected with the preceding length of conduit. Thus, additionallength of conduit 32 can be provided, as desired. Of course, it isanticipated that each mobile platform 28 will contain a large amount ofconduit 32, so that frequent addition of conduit 32 will not berequired. A

At this point it should be apparent that the invention disclosedprovides the function of continuously supplying fluid through a conduitto the delivery end of the conduit while additional lengths of theconduit are continuously and progressively added. The advantages of thisarrangement are readily apparent when the fluid flow system is utilizedwith welldigging apparatus. The digging function can be carried onwithout interruption, and the conduit can be extended virtually withoutlimitation. The supply of additional conduit is compact since theconduit is stored in a flat configuration so that the space normallydefined by a circular conduit is not also occupying storage space. Theconduit can be wound on a single drum, over a pair of conduit supplyreels as shown in the drawing, or wound in a random fashion without thebenefit of reels or drums. The position of support cables 44 on theouter surface of the conduit is such that the support cables will bearprimarily all of the sliding friction of the conduit as it is movedthrough the welldigging apparatus, and the construction of conduitsupport apparatus 22 is such that various components of this apparatuscan fail without detriment to the remaining components. The structure ofthe tube is such that it can be withdrawn at a rapid rate from the welland wound in a flat configuration into a supply reel, thus eliminatingthe necessity of stacking and handling rigid conduits.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it shouldbe understood that other obvious variations and modifications of theinvention may be made without exceeding the disclosed concepts. Forinstance, while only single tube is disclosed, concentric tubes orseveral laterally spaced tubes may be utilized. The tube may be formedwith more than a single seam along its length, and the electric orhydraulic power line can be placed externally of the tube.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many othervariations may be made in the embodiment chosen for the purpose ofillustrating the present invention without departing from the scopethereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid flow apparatus comprising a partially closed conduit openableand closeable along its length, digging apparatus or the like at aclosed end of said conduit, movable gripping means operatively relatedto said conduit for moving said conduit along it length, means adjacentand operatively related to said movable gripping means for progressivelyopening said conduit along its length when moved in a first directionalong its length and for progressively closing said conduit along itslength when moved in the opposite direction along its length, and fluidflow means operatively related to said opening and closing means, andextending into the closed portion of said conduit from the openedportion thereof constructed and arranged to flow fluid through theclosed portion of said conduit as said conduit is moved along itslength.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said fluid flow means includestoolinsertion means for inserting a tool or the like into the closedportion of said conduit.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said conduit comprises seam stripsalong its length, and said means for progressively closing and openingsaid conduit comprises means for progressively urging said seam stripsinto closed relationship with each other to form said conduit orprogressively separating said seam strips to open said conduit.

4. The invention of claim I wherein said fluid flow means comprises afluid duct projecting lengthwise into the closed portion of said conduitfrom the opened portion of said conduit, and a sealing membercoextensive with said fluid duct and engaging the inside surface of theclosed portion of said conduit.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said conduit includes at least onecable member connected to and extending along its length, and whereinsaid means for moving said conduit along its length comprises means forgripping said cable member to raise and lower said conduit.

6. The invention of claim 1 and further including supply meansoperatively related to said opening and closing means for storing andsupplying the opened portion of said conduit in an approximately flatconfiguration, conveying means positioned between said supply means andsaid opening and closing means for progressively orienting and feedingthe opened conduit in a direction toward said opening and closing means,and forming means operatively related to said conduit opening andclosing means for curving the conduit into a concave substantiallyclosed configuration prior to closing the conduit.

7. Welldigging apparatus comprising a conduit openable along its length,movable gripping means for moving said conduit along its length in anapproximate vertical direction, means adjacent and operatively relatedto said movable gripping means for progressively opening and closingsaid conduit as said conduit is moved along its length, meansoperatively related to said opening and closing means for continuouslyflowing fluid through the closed portion of said conduit as said conduitis moved along its length, and digging apparatus or the like connectedto the closed end of said conduit.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said means for continuously feedingfluid to the closed portion of the conduit comprises a pipe memberextending from outside the openable conduit axially into the closedportion of the openable conduit.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said conduit comprises at least onecable member attached to the exterior surface of and extending along thelength of said conduit, and said means for moving said conduit along itslength in an approximate vertical direction includes gripping means forgripping said cable member and for moving said cable member and saidconduit in a vertical direction.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said gripping means comprises acontinuous chain, movable clamping members connected to said chain, andcam means for moving said clamping members into gripping relationshipwith said cable member.

11. A method of digging a well comprising continuously flowing motivefluid through the closed portion of a conduit openable along its lengthinto the ground to a drilling head, continuously lowering the conduitand drilling head into the ground as the well deepens withoutinterrupting the flow of fluid through the conduit or the operation ofthe drilling head,

and continuously forming additional le n th of conduit at the surface ofthe well as the conduit and dnl ing head are lowered into the well.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the step of continuously formingadditional length of conduit comprises retrieving a conduit opened alongits length from a storage area, extending the conduit in a downwarddirection over the well, and progressively closing the conduit along itslength as the conduit is lowered into the well.

13. Apparatus for supplying fluid to a movable consumption areacomprising a conduit closeable along its length, conveying meansoperatively related to said conduit for extending the conduit in itsopened configuration generally toward the movable consumption area,movable gripping means operatively related to said conduit for movingsaid conduit toward and away from the consumption area, meansoperatively related to said movable gripping means for closing andopening the conduit along its length as the conduit passes apredetermined point, and means operatively related to said opening andclosing means for continuously supplying fluid to the closed portion ofthe conduit from the opened portion thereof as the conduit is movedtoward or away from the movable consumption area.

=&

1. A fluid flow apparatus comprising a partially closed conduit openableand closeable along its length, digging apparatus or the like at aclosed end of said conduit, movable gripping means operatively relatedto said conduit for moving said conduit along it length, means adjacentand operatively related to said movable gripping means for progressivelyopening said conduit along its length when moved in a first directionalong its length and for progressively closing said conduit along itslength when moved in the opposite direction along its length, and fluidflow means operatively related to said opening and closing means, andextending into the closed portion of said conduit from the openedportion thereof constructed and arranged to flow fluid through theclosed portion of said conduit as said conduit is moved along itslength.
 2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said fluid flow meansincludes tool-insertion means for inserting a tool or the like into theclosed portion of said conduit.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein saidconduit comprises seam strips along its length, and said means forprogressively closing and opening said conduit comprises means forprogressively urging said seam strips into closed relationship with eachother to form said conduit or progressively separating said seam stripsto open said conduit.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fluidflow means comprises a fluid duct projecting lengthwise into the closedportion of said conduit from the opened portion of said conduit, and asealing member coextensive with said fluid duct and engaging the insidesurface of the closed portion of said conduit.
 5. The invention of claim1 wherein said conduit includes at least one cable member connected toand extending along its length, and wherein said means for moving saidconduit along its length comprises means for gripping said cable memberto raise and lower said conduit.
 6. The invention of claim 1 and furtherincluding supply means operatively related to said opening and closingmeans for storing and supplying the opened portion of said conduit in anapproximately flat configuration, conveying means positioned betweensaid supply means and said opening and closing means for progressivelyorienting and feeding the opened conduit in a direction toward saidopening and closing means, and forming means operatively related to saidconduit opening and closing means for curving the conduit into a concavesubstanTially closed configuration prior to closing the conduit. 7.Well-digging apparatus comprising a conduit openable along its length,movable gripping means for moving said conduit along its length in anapproximate vertical direction, means adjacent and operatively relatedto said movable gripping means for progressively opening and closingsaid conduit as said conduit is moved along its length, meansoperatively related to said opening and closing means for continuouslyflowing fluid through the closed portion of said conduit as said conduitis moved along its length, and digging apparatus or the like connectedto the closed end of said conduit.
 8. The invention of claim 7 whereinsaid means for continuously feeding fluid to the closed portion of theconduit comprises a pipe member extending from outside the openableconduit axially into the closed portion of the openable conduit.
 9. Theinvention of claim 7 wherein said conduit comprises at least one cablemember attached to the exterior surface of and extending along thelength of said conduit, and said means for moving said conduit along itslength in an approximate vertical direction includes gripping means forgripping said cable member and for moving said cable member and saidconduit in a vertical direction.
 10. The invention of claim 9 whereinsaid gripping means comprises a continuous chain, movable clampingmembers connected to said chain, and cam means for moving said clampingmembers into gripping relationship with said cable member.
 11. A methodof digging a well comprising continuously flowing motive fluid throughthe closed portion of a conduit openable along its length into theground to a drilling head, continuously lowering the conduit anddrilling head into the ground as the well deepens without interruptingthe flow of fluid through the conduit or the operation of the drillinghead, and continuously forming additional length of conduit at thesurface of the well as the conduit and drilling head are lowered intothe well.
 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the step of continuouslyforming additional length of conduit comprises retrieving a conduitopened along its length from a storage area, extending the conduit in adownward direction over the well, and progressively closing the conduitalong its length as the conduit is lowered into the well.
 13. Apparatusfor supplying fluid to a movable consumption area comprising a conduitcloseable along its length, conveying means operatively related to saidconduit for extending the conduit in its opened configuration generallytoward the movable consumption area, movable gripping means operativelyrelated to said conduit for moving said conduit toward and away from theconsumption area, means operatively related to said movable grippingmeans for closing and opening the conduit along its length as theconduit passes a predetermined point, and means operatively related tosaid opening and closing means for continuously supplying fluid to theclosed portion of the conduit from the opened portion thereof as theconduit is moved toward or away from the movable consumption area.